The bylaws contain the rules for the operation of the Texas Justice Court Judges Association, Incorporated. (JCJ) The bylaws regulate the conduct of directors, officers, and members and set forth rules governing internal affairs. They can include definitions of duties, as well as times, locations, and voting procedures for meetings that affect the corporation.
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Texas Justice Court Judges Association, Inc. By-Laws
ARTICLE I - NAME
Section 1.
The name of the association shall be Texas Justice Court Judges Association, Incorporated.
Section 2.
The association may be referred to as “JCJ” in these Bylaws or in other association literature or materials.
ARTICLE II - PURPOSE
The purpose of JCJ is to:
1. Advance the interests of Justices of the Peace as officials of their respective counties and the State of Texas.
2. Provide continuing education for Justices of the Peace and Justice Court personnel.
3. Publish and distribute reports, data, legislative updates and other information related to Justice Courts.
4. Promote effective justice for the people of Texas.
ARTICLE III - MEMBERS
Section 1.
Every person who holds the office of Justice of the Peace and every person serving as a Clerk or Deputy Clerk in the office of any Justice Court in the State of Texas shall be eligible for REGULAR MEMBERSHIP. Such persons may join JCJ by paying the annual dues established by the Board of Directors of JCJ and shall be a member in good standing for the calendar year in which the dues are paid unless membership is canceled as provided in these Bylaws
Section 2.
Any person eligible for Regular Membership in Section 1. shall be eligible for LIFE MEMBERSHIP after serving a full four years by paying the lifetime dues established by the Board of Directors of JCJ and shall be a member in good standing for life unless membership is canceled as provided in these Bylaws.
Section 3.
The President may annually award to not more than two people, HONORARY LIFE MEMBERSHIPS. No fee may be charged for this category and no rights or privileges granted to other categories shall be available to this class of membership.
Section 4.
Any person that is not a Regular Member of JCJ may be appointed as an ASSOCIATE MEMBER by the Board of Directors of JCJ upon payment of a fee set by the Board of Directors; but shall not be entitled to vote or hold office.
Section 5.
Any member in good standing with JCJ who has legally retired under the Texas District and County Retirement System shall be eligible to maintain Regular or Life membership with all rights and privileges granted by JCJ including holding elected office. RETIRED MEMBER or LIFE MEMBER status shall begin at retirement.
Section 6.
CANCELLATION OF MEMBERSHIP shall only be done by the Board of Directors of JCJ by a majority vote. Any member who has been convicted of any offense above a Class C misdemeanor or found to have conduct unbecoming a member of JCJ may be removed by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS
Section 1.
The PRESIDENT of JCJ shall be the chief executive officer and shall take office for a two-year term at the annual business meeting of JCJ in even-numbered years. The President shall have been elected to a two-year term as President-Elect by vote of the membership at its annual business meeting and shall move into the President’s position after the President-Elect term.
Section 2.
The PRESIDENT-ELECT of JCJ shall be elected to a two-year term by vote of the membership at its annual business meeting in even-numbered years and will become President as stated above. In the absence of the President, the President-Elect, if present, shall preside, or if the office of President shall become vacant, the President-Elect shall fill the vacancy.
Section 3.
The VICE-PRESIDENT of JCJ shall be elected to a two-year term by vote of the membership at its annual business meeting in even-numbered years. In the absence of the President and President-Elect, the Vice- President, if present, shall preside.
Section 4.
The SECRETARY of JCJ shall be appointed to a two-year term by the Board of Directors in even- numbered years such as 2002, 2004. Appointment shall be ratified by vote of the membership at the annual business meeting.
Section 5.
The TREASURER of JCJ shall be appointed to a two-year term by the Board of Directors in odd- numbered years such as 2013, 2015. Initial appointment shall be for one year in 2012. Appointment shall be ratified by vote of the membership at the annual business meeting.
Section 6.
There shall be five regional DIRECTORS elected to two-year terms by the membership at its annual business meeting, except that, initially, three Directors shall be elected to one-year terms in the year 2002 to represent Regions 1, 3 & 5. After that, three Directors shall be elected to two-year terms in odd- numbered years to represent Regions 1, 3 & 5. Two Directors shall be elected to two-year terms in even- numbered years to represent Regions 2 & 4.
Section 7.
There shall be one DIRECTOR elected to a two-year term by the clerks at the annual business meeting in even-numbered years that shall represent Court Clerks.
Section 8.
With the exception of the Secretary and the Director listed in Section 7, representing the Court Clerks, all
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS shall be Justice Court Judges or retired Justice Court Judges. Section 9.
Should a VACANCY occur in any office other than President or President-Elect, the President may appoint a qualified member to fill the vacancy. A vacancy of a Regional Director shall be filled by a member from that region. Such appointments shall be approved by majority vote of the Board of Directors.
Section 10.
Should any Officer or Director CEASE TO QUALIFY for Regular Membership or Life Membership; their office shall automatically become vacant.
Section 11.
REMOVAL OF AN OFFICER OR DIRECTOR by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors shall be based on a recommendation of an Investigative Committee of five members representing the five regions. Each regional director shall submit three names of members from the region to the Board for consideration to serve on the Investigative Committee. If a regional director is being considered for removal, the President shall submit three names for that region. The Board of Directors shall then select a five-member Investigative Committee with a representative from each region. The criteria for removal from office shall be the inability or refusal to perform the prescribed duties for the office.
Section 12.
The PAST-PRESIDENT shall succeed to this office upon completion of a normal two-year term as President to provide advice and counsel to the President and Board of Directors and shall serve in this capacity until the next President shall become Past-President. If this position becomes vacant, the President may appoint, as a replacement, one of the earlier past-presidents with the approval of a majority of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE V - DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 1.
The twelve Officers and Directors described in Article IV. Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 12 above shall constitute the BOARD OF DIRECTORS. A majority of the Board of Directors (6 members) shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of JCJ business. The Board of Directors shall have the management and control of JCJ and shall transact all business, subject to limitations or directions by a vote of the membership.
Section 2.
BOARD MEETINGS shall be called at each annual business meeting with one day’s reasonable expenses to be reimbursed by JCJ to each Board Member attending. The President may call a Board Meeting at any time and place he or she deem necessary. Members of the Board of Directors may call a Board Meeting with a two-thirds vote (8 members) in favor of such meeting at any time and place. Action taken at any Board Meeting shall be reported to the membership in a JCJ newsletter in its next issue (within 90 days, generally.) or on the JCJ Website.
Section 3.
DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT shall include but not be limited to:
1. Presiding at all meetings of the general membership of JCJ and at Board meetings. 2. Co-signing all checks and vouchers with the Treasurer.
3. Signing all membership cards and certificates (by facsimile).
4. Calling meetings of the general membership and Board of Directors.
5. Appointing replacements for Officer or Director vacancies in accordance with Article IV, Section 9., with the concurrence of a majority of the Board of Directors.
6. Serving Ex-Officio on every committee of JCJ unless otherwise noted in these Bylaws.
7. Appointing members to all standing committees within 90 days after the annual business meeting to be approved by a majority of the Board of Directors at the next Board Meeting.
8. Performing all other duties pertaining to the office of President or prescribed by the parliamentary authority adopted in these bylaws.
9. Voting in the Board of Directors only in the case of a tie vote.
Section 4.
DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT-ELECT shall include but not be limited to:
1. Presiding at all meetings of the general membership of JCJ and at all meetings of the Board of
Directors in the absence of the President or at the call of the President.
2. Assuming the office of President on the occasion of a vacancy in that office.
3. Serving Ex-Officio on every committee of JCJ unless otherwise noted in these Bylaws.
4. Performing all other duties as assigned by the President or prescribed in the parliamentary authority adopted in these bylaws.
Section 5.
DUTIES OF THE VICE-PRESIDENT shall include but not be limited to:
1. Presiding at any meeting of the general membership of JCJ or at any meeting of the Board of Directors in the absence of both the President and President-Elect.
2. Serving on such committees as assigned by the President and ex-officio on the Justice Court Education Committee.
3. Performing all other duties as assigned by the President or prescribed in the parliamentary authority adopted in these bylaws.
Section 6.a.
DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY shall include but not be limited to:
1. Keeping minutes of all meetings of the general membership and the Board of Directors.
2. Maintaining all records, books and reports of JCJ.
3. Performing all other duties as assigned by the President or prescribed in the parliamentary authority adopted in these bylaws.
Section 6.b.
Duties of the TREASURER shall include but not be limited to:
1. Reporting monthly, to the President, the financial status of JCJ including cash on hand, expenses incurred, receipts of funds, disbursements of funds and all assets and liabilities.
2. Paying all bills and obligations of JCJ as directed by the Board of Directors by preparing checks and vouchers as necessary.
3. Maintaining membership records, issuing membership cards and advising the Board of Directors of the standing of each member.
4. Obtaining a surety bond payable to JCJ in an amount determined by the Board of Directors. JCJ shall pay for this bond.
Section 7.
DUTIES OF DIRECTORS shall include but not be limited to:
1. Attendance at all meetings of the Board of Directors if possible.
2. Contacting the members of their regions or represented groups at the direction of the President or Board of Directors concerning JCJ matters of business.
3. Posting their names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses (if available) in the next issue of the JCJ newsletter or on the JCJ WEBSITE after election or appointment with a listing of the counties represented if a regional Director.
4. Performing all other duties as assigned by the President or prescribed in the parliamentary authority adopted in these bylaws.
Section 8.
The NOMINATING COMMITTEE shall be five Regular or Life Members in good standing and chosen by the Board of Directors at the board meeting immediately preceding the annual business meeting. This committee shall meet and review all applications, requests and nominations submitted to it. The committee shall then report to JCJ at its annual business meeting with a single nomination for each office, if possible. The President and President-Elect shall NOT serve on the nominating committee. Nominations from the floor are not precluded by the selection of the Nominating Committee and shall be in accordance with the parliamentary authority adopted in these bylaws.
ARTICLE VI - ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING
Section 1.
The ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING of JCJ shall be conducted each year at a Board-selected location.
1. Cities or local host committees may submit written bids for the annual business meeting to JCJ not later than May 31 of the year prior to the bid year.
2. The Board of Directors shall determine the date and location of the annual business meeting site and announce the date and location on the JCJ Website (amended May 31, 2019).
3. A Conference Oversight committee may be appointed by the President to operate under the direction of the Secretary or Treasurer. This committee shall also be responsible for all program features of the annual business meeting.
4. A Local Host committee may be organized locally to provide the necessary day-to-day contact and coordination to assist the Oversight committee.
Section 2.
VOTING MEMBERS at the Annual Business Meeting shall be those Regular and Life Members in good standing as certified by the Secretary-Treasurer who are in attendance at the Annual Business Meeting, and they shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE VII - COMMITTEES
Section 1.
The following COMMITTEES will be appointed by the President within 90 days after the Annual Business Meeting and ratified by the Board of Directors at their next meeting:
Justice Court Education
JudicialInformationTechnology
Auditing
Bylaws
JudicialAffairs
Public Relations (Membership, Notifications, Promotions)
Resolutions, Scholarships & Awards
Grant & TAC
OthercommitteesasneededbythePresident
Section 2.
The NOMINATING COMMITTEE is specified in Article V, Section 8. above.
Section 3.
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS of all committees except the Nominating Committee shall be the President and President-Elect unless excluded by other provisions of these bylaws
Section 4.
THE JUSTICE COURT EDUCATION COMMITTEE shall be responsible for developing the curriculum and standards for the education of court personnel to meet statutory requirements and shall monitor the implementation of the education programs throughout the year to insure effectiveness.
JUSTICE COURT EDUCATION COMMITTEE shall consist of six Justices of the Peace who shall serve terms of three years each, with two members’ terms expiring each year. The chair of this committee shallbe appointed by the President. The Vice-President shall serve ex-officio on this committee. At least one member shall be a court clerk.
Section 5.
The EDUCATION OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE shall consist of the Officers of JCJ.
Section 6.
The EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE shall consist of the President, President-Elect, Vice-President, Past President, Secretary and Treasurer (the six officers) and shall act for the Board of Directors between its meetings and under the guidelines established for it by the Board. All actions of the Executive Committee are subject to ratification by the full Board of Directors.
Section 7.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS shall be Regular Members and Life Members in good standing appointed by the President to serve one-year terms. Each committee shall have a chair, vice-chair, and secretary designated by the President. Any appointed member of any committee may be removed by the President without cause with approval by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors.
Section 8.
There shall be one DIRECTOR OF THE TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES appointed by the President for a two-year term beginning January 1, of odd-numbered years with that term to expire December 31. Qualifications, appointment and removal shall be in the manner prescribed in Section 1 and Section 7 of this Article. This appointment is contingent on acceptance by TAC.
Section 9.
COMMITTEE BUSINESS shall be conducted in accordance with the parliamentary authority adopted by these bylaws.
1. Members in good standing may address any committee in any open meeting when recognized by the chair.
2. The chair of any committee may limit discussion or debate on any subject to provide for orderly and efficient meetings.
3. Each committee shall report its workings at the Annual Business Meeting.
ARTICLE VIII - PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER, Newly Revised, Current Version, shall be the parliamentary authority for all meetings and operations of JCJ unless specifically detailed in these bylaws.
ARTICLE IX - AMENDMENTS OF BYLAWS
Section 1.
These Bylaws may be AMENDED BY A MAJORITY VOTE of the voting members at an Annual Business Meeting on a motion to amend submitted at least 60 days prior to the Annual Business Meeting to the Chair of the Bylaws Committee in writing.
Section 2.
These Bylaws may be AMENDED BY A TWO-THIRDS VOTE of the voting members at an Annual Business Meeting on a motion to amend submitted less than 60 days prior to the Annual Business Meeting or on a motion to amend submitted from the floor at the Annual Business Meeting.
Section 3.
These Bylaws may be AMENDED BY A MAJORITY VOTE of the members actually voting BY MAIL on a motion to amend submitted to each member by mail allowing at least 30 days for the return of the ballot. Said voting deadline shall be stated on the ballot. A mail ballot procedure will only commence after approval of the Board of Directors.
Section 4.
All BYLAW CHANGES will take effect upon adjournment of the Annual Business Meeting at which adopted, except those adopted by mail which take effect when ordered by the Board of Directors but not more that 30 days after the ballot voting deadline.
ARTICLE X – TERMINATION OF THE ASSOCIATION
Section 1.
TERMINATION OF THE TEXAS JUSTICE COURT JUDGES ASSOCIATION, INCORPORATED shall occur on the majority vote of the membership after 30 days notice to the membership by the Board of Directors.
Section 2.
DISTRIBUTION OF THE ASSETS AND ALL FUNDS OF THE ASSOCIATION on its termination shall be to the State of Texas through the Office of the Comptroller.
Section 3.
ADDITION OF THIS ARTICLE X is made administratively by the Board of Directors to comply with the legal requirements to incorporate. Ratified by the membership 07.16.04.
THESE BYLAWS AMENDED AND RATIFIED BY THE MEMBERSHIP 07-15-18.